“The paranormal doesn’t exist.” “You’re just seeing things.” “Be rational.” “That’s not of God”. “You didn’t see anything.” “Shh.”

You know you’ve either heard or have said these, or similar, phrases.

I definitely have. Except, I’ve been on both sides: I’ve said to others and I’ve also had it said to me. 

Karma. 

I didn’t know any better. Like so many people, I was absolutely convinced that reality is material, truth is objective, and the paranormal is composed of stories and myths made to entertain us. 

I was wrong.

Back then, I was an atheist. I believed that science had all the answers. I was on my way to a Ph.D. I was following the blueprint given to me by society. I was on the proverbial road to success. 

Or so I thought.

Little did I know that in 2015, when my father suddenly passed away, my whole life would change. 

My father was my role model. He, too, was an atheist. A man of science. Erudite. He scoffed at the possibility of the paranormal being real. 

Thus, you can imagine my surprise when I realized he visited me the night he died, even though I was over 200 miles away. 

The irony. 

While his visit wasn’t my first paranormal experience (yes, I had experiences even though I wasn’t a believer), it was the one that made me start paying attention. It was when I began to question everything I thought I knew about this world. 

It was the beginning of everything that led me here.

But first, I had to make a decision: continue on the paved path or explore this new, unknown path that beckoned. 

I pivoted.

I opted for my M.A. and became dedicated to learning more about the paranormal to foster a deeper relationship with myself and the mysterious. 

It was the hardest decision I ever had to make. 

At first, I battled through feelings of failure. It was the first time in my life that I wouldn’t finish something I started, at least that’s how it felt. Thankfully, my mentor was very supportive of my decision to opt out of my Ph.D. and reminded me that my worth isn’t determined by a degree. 

But I still felt scared. Scared of what my life would become. Scared of what people would think of me. Scared of what my friends and family would say. Scared that I was just imagining things. 

I was hesitant to step into the paranormal, spiritual, and occult. I didn’t want this decision to be another disappointment. I was confused, anxious, afraid, and unsure of myself. I felt outcasted. I felt lost and like I didn’t know who I truly was. The stress of it all became too overwhelming.

However, what was more overwhelming was feeling like I couldn’t be me. How could I if I couldn’t express myself? I hated feeling ashamed of my experiences and my new beliefs. It became a heavy burden to carry all the guilt, shame, and fear in silence. 

Until I let go. I let go of expectations–mine, my loved one’s, and society’s. I let go of the self-doubt. I faced the fear. I decided that I wasn’t going to allow society and others dictate the life I should live, nor what I should believe. My experiences were valid and real. Thus, I decided to finally start trusting myself.

All the while, my father was with me. It’s as if he was making sure that I didn’t make the same mistake he did of not believing. So, I trucked through the disbelief, doubt, and judgment.

As I was overcoming my own obstacles, I came to a realization: there is little to no support provided for people who—like me—have experienced something paranormal and are battling their beliefs, feeling confused, scared, afraid, guilty, judged, and alone. 

What help is there when the paranormal is mocked by society, demonized by religion, and dismissed by science and psychology?

Yet, these experiences are real. Not because we have proof, but because we experience them. 

And we aren’t the only ones. Approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of the world’s population experiences something paranormal at least once in their lifetime (Rabeyron 2022). Of those, thousands are not believed, remain quiet, and feel isolated due to stigma. 

Not anymore. 

This is why I’ve created Paranormal Paradigma, for YOU. It’s to provide you a safe space to be supported, believed, and know you’re not alone. 

I make it a priority to listen, dispel misinformation, and protect your peace. I give you the tools and resources you need to help you better understand your experience, feel normal again, and confidently move on.

Share your story, seek your truth, and live again.

You deserve it.

– Deborah